IFN OnAir

This session explores the opportunities and constraints for Shariah-compliant investing across US private markets, including private credit, venture, growth equity, real assets, and real estate. Speakers will consider structuring approaches, liquidity expectations, governance issues, and how managers are adapting Shariah requirements to modern private-market practices. The panel will also examine where genuine deal flow exists, the current presence of US-domiciled Islamic private-market vehicles, and how tokenisation may broaden investor access to alternatives.

Moderator:

Mushfique Shams Billah, Chair of Private Credit Team & Partner, Barnes & Thornburg LLP

Panelists:

Aamir Rehman, Chair, Innate Capital Partners
Dr Amjad Hammad, Founder and Managing Partner, Baraka Prosperity Partners
Charles Stackhouse, Senior Vice President, JA Mitsui Capital Corporation
Shakeel Adli, Founder and CEO, Zunikh
Thomas Polson, General Partner, Polson Real Assets

Patrick Drum, Fixed Income Lead and Portfolio Manager, Saturna Capital

From a high-level perspective, we assess the state of Shariah-compliant investment management in North America and how it is adapting to the needs of a digital-first Muslim investor base. Discussion will focus on how ETFs, SMAs, model portfolios, and fintech platforms are shaping product design, distribution, and investor education. Panellists will assess how Islamic strategies are being positioned within the broader values-based investing landscape, where innovation is happening, and what gaps still limit scaling across RIAs, family offices, and wealth-tech channels.

Moderator:

Dr Ehab Elsonbaty, Partner, DLA Piper

Panelists:

Junaid Wahedna, Founder and Chairman, Wahed Invest
Kamal Solaiman, CEO and Managing Partner, Sinbad Capital
Professor M Kabir Hassan, Professor of Finance, Department of Economics and Finance, University of New Orleans
Monem Salam, Executive Vice President, Director, and Portfolio Manager, Saturna Capital
Zeshan Gondal, Senior Vice President, Stearns Salaam Bank

Professor M Kabir Hassan, Professor of Finance, Department of Economics and Finance, University of New Orleans

State Senator Kevin Parker , New York State Senate

Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Dr Moutaz Abojeib, CEO of IFAAS, on emerging Islamic finance markets, regulatory development, Islamic climate finance and opportunities for industry growth

Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Zishan Iqbal, Manager for Asia Region in the Business Development Department at the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit, on trade and investment opportunities in Asia, risk mitigation and strengthening connectivity between Asian and OIC markets

Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Yasser Madani Alaki, Director of the Business Development Department at the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC), on ICIEC’s growth strategy, infrastructure financing opportunities, partnerships and future initiatives

Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Mohamud Hussein Khalif, Director of the Underwriting Operations Department at the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit, on geopolitical risks, underwriting trends, political risk insurance and the outlook for global trade and investment

Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Ahmed Samir, Group Treasury Manager at Elsewedy Electric, on infrastructure exports, risk mitigation, trade finance and the role of insurance solutions in supporting expansion into developing markets